AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) celebrated what leaders called a successful year of advocacy and fundraising at the organization's annual meeting Nov. 3. But speakers also warned of hard times ahead.
"Next year is going to be a challenge for us [ financially ] ," said Kenneth Burnett who chairs the Service Providers Council. "We need to continue to fight."
Burnett and others forecasted that funding cuts might hamper the organization's ability to maintain vital programs.
"I say to folks, eat your spinach," CEO Mark Ishaug said. Still, Ishaug commended AFC employees and AIDS advocates for a year that produced landmark strides in fighting HIV/ AIDS.
In the last year alone, President Obama unveiled the country's first National AIDS Strategy, a congressional ban on funding for needle exchange was lifted, a law that prevented HIV positive immigrants from entering the U.S. was overturned, Cook County Jail adopted a comprehensive HIV/STD screening process, and healthcare reform was passed.
" [ Healthcare reform ] really is the game-changer for our clients, for people living with AIDS and HIV," Ishaug said. Healthcare reform, which is set to go into effect in 2014, could allow countless HIV-positive residents to access antiretroviral drugs before they become sick enough to apply for Medicaid, as is the case to date.
Guest speaker Robert Greenwald, managing director of legal services at Harvard Law School, lauded AFC for being at the "forefront" in the fight against AIDS and credited AFC with playing an important role in national battle against AIDS this year. "AFC truly is a national treasure," he said.
Greenwald, too, warned of unprecedented challenges looming in an uncertain economy and conservative-shifting political climate. "We have to stay vigilant here," he said. "For all those that do advocacy, all I can say is put on your seatbelt. It is going to be a bumpy ride."